A keynote address by an award-winning civic engagement author and an invitation to University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni to impact student learning will be among the highlights of the Provost’s 2012 Teaching and Learning Summit Oct. 22-26.

“The 2012 summit will provide opportunities for us to gather and focus upon our core shared mission: enhancing the quality of student learning,” said Lori Carrell, director of UWO’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. “The summit will bring students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the local community together in unique ways.”

On Monday, the summit begins in the Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom with a poster session featuring UW Oshkosh Civic Engagement experiences from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the keynote speaker, Paul Loeb, social and political activist and author of “Soul of a Citizen,” “The Impossible Will Take a Little While” and “Generation at the Crossroads.”

Loeb is well-known for examining students’ concepts of social, political and environmental responsibility, what matters in their lives and how they view themselves in relation to the larger community.

“’Soul of the Citizen’ has been a powerful resource to get thousands of students involved in their communities, giving them the opportunity to apply their learning in meaningful ways,” said Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Loeb’s presentations have garnered praise across the nation.

“Your vision for what America can become and sense of how to cure current social ills offered each of us an opportunity to examine our own commitments and connect education with community efforts,” said Terry Pickeral of the Center for Learning and Citizenship, Education Commission of the States.

A call for alumni

The centerpiece of this year’s summit will be the Civic Engagement Connection Extravaganza on Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m. in Reeve Union Ballroom.

During this event, community organizations, the teaching community, campus organizations and alumni mentors will have the opportunity to connect during structured conversations to develop civic engagement projects for the new University Studies Program.

“UW Oshkosh alumni have an unprecedented opportunity to volunteer to directly impact the educational experience of current students as alumni mentors, serving side-by-side with students in civic engagement projects, beginning with the fall semester 2014,” said UWO Alumni Director Christine Gantner.

A special session for UW Oshkosh graduates interested in becoming alumni mentors will take place from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in the ballroom.